What is unfolding in Ukraine is not new to the people of that nation. They have lived in the tension of oppression and under the threat of invasion for years. They have struggled for freedom, in the shadow of Russia for generation. Winter on Fire is just one story of resistance and struggling within Ukraine.

This documentary opens with a brief overview of the history of Ukraine from the moment they declared sovereignty in 1991 to the winter of 2013, when the nation rose in solidarity and in hopes of true freedom. For 93 days, protesters stood in the heart of Kviv, demanding freedom and drawing the yes of the world to the precarious exostence the people of Ukraine had endured for decades.

This demonstration wasn’t about politics, it was about honesty, transparency and a hope for a stable future. This hope rested in the idea of European integration for Ukraine. The people of Ukraine had long resisted the yoke of Russian tyranny and were looking to finally cement themselves as part of Europe and apart from Russia.

Winter of Fire captures the heart of the movement through film footage from those on the ground in the early days of the movement. Woven throughout the film footage are interviews with journalists, artists, students and average folks who uphold the values of a re-imagined Ukraine. Despite opposition from riot police and the military, the people held their ground and raised their voices.

As Russia currently executes a military invasion, the cry of the people of Ukraine remains the same. Safety. Freedom. Sanctity of life. Evgeny Afineevsky, the director of Winter of Fire, has recently spoken out about the continued relevance of his film and the danger of Putin’s disregard for life and safety. In various interviews, Afineevsky heralds the resiliency of the Ukrainian spirit and upholds their right to join the EU and find safety as a sovereign nation.

Winter of Fire is available now on Netflix, both in Canada and in Ukraine, where the streaming service recently launched. Check out the documentary to better understand the Ukrainian struggle for independence.